Dog that bit two men in Machias did not have rabies

MACHIAS, Maine — The 114-pound mixed breed dog that bit two adults in a Machias home early Thursday, Oct. 6, did not have rabies, according to Machias Police Chief Grady Dwelley.

Testing early Monday at the Maine Public Health Laboratory revealed no illness, Dwelley said.

The dog was euthanized the same day of the attack, which occurred about 3 a.m. in a home on Water Street. Dwelley said the dog bit one victim on the hip and stomach and the other in the face, causing serious injuries. Despite their injuries, the victims, both 23-year-old men, were able to secure the dog in a bedroom.

Both men were treated at Down East Community Hospital for their injuries. The dog had been given to the homeowner, Brittany Wood, just six hours before the attack.

Dwelley said the dog appeared to be a Shar Pei and bull mastiff mix. After the attack, the victims were able to secure the dog in a bedroom where it was later sedated and taken to a local veterinarian to be euthanized.